Session SSS7.3

SSS7.3 | Processes and strategies of soil restoration, conservation, and fertilization

Processes and strategies of soil restoration, conservation, and fertilization

Convener: Iria Benavente-FerracesECSECS | Co-conveners: Gema Guzmán, Gunther LiebhardECSECS, Ruoshui Wang, Akmal Akramkhanov

Orals

| Mon, 15 Apr, 14:00–15:45 (CEST), 16:15–17:55 (CEST)

Room K2

Posters on site

| Attendance Tue, 16 Apr, 16:15–18:00 (CEST) | Display Tue, 16 Apr, 14:00–18:00

Hall X3

Posters virtual

| Attendance Tue, 16 Apr, 14:00–15:45 (CEST) | Display Tue, 16 Apr, 08:30–18:00

vHall X3

One of todays’ main challenges in agriculture is to increase crop yields to feed the world growing population while managing soils sustainably to maintain or increase soil fertility to improve the provision of ecosystem services by agricultural land. Notably, worldwide regions face this common challenge of improving the use of soil and water resources by adapting their commonly applied agricultural systems. Accordingly, it is increasingly important to identify and quantify soil degradation threats and to develop contemporary and tailored strategies and tools for restoring soil health at farm level.
This session will focus on all aspects of soil conservation, restoration, and fertilization strategies in agriculture at different spatial scales. Any researcher interested in these topics are warmly invited to participate. We particularly welcome contributions in:
i) Methodology (field work, laboratory analyses, sensors development, statistical analyses, algorithms, and modelling; including citizen science) for assessing soil health and erosion, forming the basis to implement locally adapted soil protection and restoration strategies.
ii) Development of decision support tools, and soil restoration and fertilization techniques and strategies, including synergies between digital agriculture and research for more sustainable agricultural systems and technological solutions to address stakeholders’ challenges.
iii) Case studies, including both monitoring and modelling, and recent advances coming from cooperative research comparing strategies to optimize soil and water use across different agricultural systems under different environmental conditions and scales.
iv) Socioeconomic studies on sustainable soil and water resource use, and approaches to implement soil and water conservation programs.
This session will be sponsored by the TUdi project (EU Horizon 2020 grant agreement no. 101000224).

Orals: Mon, 15 Apr | Room K2

Chairpersons: Iria Benavente-Ferraces, Gema Guzmán, Gunther Liebhard

14:00–14:05

5-minute convener introduction

14:05–14:15

EGU24-19118

On-site presentation

Vegetation Scenarios to Improve the Conditions at the Desiccated Aral Seabed and to Reduce the Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms

Mira Haddad, Akmal Akramkhanov, Abeyou Worqlul, Stefan Strohmeier, Steven de Jong, Abduvokhid Zakhadullaev, Ioannis A. Chaniotis, Platon Patlakas, and Christos Stathopoulos

Although Central Asia has been exposed to sand and dust storms (SDS) due to the Kyzylkum and Karakum deserts, it is also the place of a most tragic environmental disaster of the 20^th century: the drying out of the Aral Sea created the Aralkum desert that is considered a relatively new addition to the global hotspot SDS sources. The loss of Aral Sea transformed the surrounding environment into a vast area of bare land dominated by solonchak soils prone to further degradation and desertification. Consequently, the exposed saline sediments have become SDS sources across the region, causing negative impacts on multiple socio-ecological aspects. Recently, the government of Uzbekistan launched and further investigated various campaigns on planting adapted shrub and tree species to establish a robust rangeland ecosystem.

This study aims to determine the effects of the vegetation-based options on protecting the erodible sediments from wind-induced movement and improving the local ecological conditions. Wind erosion depends on soil erodibility, selected plant species for out-planting, and vegetation cover succession that might develop. This study developed six vegetation cover scenarios to represent a broad spectrum of potential vegetation cover and stages, ranging from a bare surface (newly dried seabed) to dense vegetation cover conditions. Local 3-hourly wind speed data of the past 20 years was analyzed to define erosive wind events. Each vegetation cover scenario was used in the wind erosion simulation model to assess the impact of different covers on soil erosion.

The simulation of the physical-based erosion model revealed critical wind speed thresholds of erosion initiation that most likely occur when wind velocities exceed 10-15 m/s. The erosion ranges linked to the exceedance of three hourly wind speeds of >= 15 m/s (class 1), >= 20 m/s (class 2), and >= 25 m/s (class 3), respectively, were investigated for the six clearly defined vegetation scenarios. The simulation unveils that dense vegetation covers of assorted trees, shrubs, and grasses could ultimately stop erosion, as locally verified through observations in scattered and well protected well-vegetated areas. A more likely and large coverage of a lower-density vegetation could reduce erosion by around 40%. Combining shrubs and potentially emerging grasses would reduce wind erosion by up to 70%.

The study indicates that plantation and increasing vegetation cover could remarkably enhance SDS prevention. In addition, it would improve the local ecosystem services such as e.g. storing carbon and serving as potential feed sources for livestock, while preventing contaminated and saline dust from being transported to vulnerable off-site areas.

How to cite: Haddad, M., Akramkhanov, A., Worqlul, A., Strohmeier, S., de Jong, S., Zakhadullaev, A., A. Chaniotis, I., Patlakas, P., and Stathopoulos, C.: Vegetation Scenarios to Improve the Conditions at the Desiccated Aral Seabed and to Reduce the Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-19118, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-19118, 2024.

14:15–14:25

EGU24-2242

ECS

Virtual presentation

Effects of Different Drip Irrigation Belt Layout Modes on Soil Allelochemicals and Microorganisms in Apple - Soybean Intercropping System

Xin Wang, Ruoshui Wang, Li Chen, Houshuai Dai, Chang Xiong, Meng Zhang, and Lisha Wang

This study aimed to investigate the impact of different layouts of drip irrigation belts on the distribution of soil phenolic acids, enzyme activities, and microorganisms in a fruit-crop intercropping system. Specifically, we focused on the apple-soybean intercropping system in the loess region of western Shanxi. Three types of drip irrigation belt spacing (L1, L2, and L3) were employed in the study: L1 involved the arrangement of a drip irrigation belt for each row of soybean, L2 had a drip irrigation belt at intervals of one row of soybean, and L3 had a drip irrigation belt for the third row of soybean from the fruit tree.We analyzed the spatial distribution changes of soil phenolic substances, enzyme activity, and microbial quantity under different water distributions. Principal component analysis was then applied to establish the relationship between soil factors and drip irrigation treatments.The results indicated that, apart from benzoic acid and phloroglucinol, the spacing of the drip irrigation belt significantly influenced the distribution of phenolic acids in the soil. Likewise, except for catalase, the spacing of the drip irrigation belt had a significant impact on the distribution of enzyme activity and microbial quantity. The effects of different drip irrigation belt layout modes on the distribution of soil phenolic acids, bacteria, and fungi were consistent with those observed in the intercropping control treatment, where the distribution increased as the distance from the tree increased. Enzymatic activity decreased initially and then increased with increasing distance from the tree under drip irrigation.Principal component analysis revealed that different drip irrigation belt spacings altered the content of soil allelochemicals, microbial quantity, and enzymatic activity. Additionally, the total amount of phenolic acids in intercropping soil was found to be lower than that in monocropping. Treatment L1 exhibited the highest soil enzyme activity and total microbial biomass, while treatment L2 had the lowest accumulation of phenolic acids in the soil. Notably, treatment L2 demonstrated relatively high soil enzyme activity, despite the lowest accumulation of phenolic acids. Based on our findings, we recommend adopting the arrangement of a drip irrigation belt at intervals of one row of soybean in fruit-crop intercropping systems. This layout not only improves the soil micro-ecological environment but also alleviates the inhibition of allelochemicals.

How to cite: Wang, X., Wang, R., Chen, L., Dai, H., Xiong, C., Zhang, M., and Wang, L.: Effects of Different Drip Irrigation Belt Layout Modes on Soil Allelochemicals and Microorganisms in Apple - Soybean Intercropping System , EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-2242, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-2242, 2024.

14:25–14:35

EGU24-9142

ECS

Virtual presentation

Long-term effects of restoration strategies on ecosystem functions, soil conservation and afforestation on the Loess Plateau

Tianjiao Feng, Yufei Zhang, and Ping Wang

Loess Plateau is a typical ecologically-fragile area worldwide. Vegetation restoration acts as a long-term and important strategic program wherein, while the ecological effects after long-term vegetation restoration need to be assessed in detail to support for ecological restoration in similar areas. Across the Loess Plateau, four representative sites: the P. tabulaeformis artificial forest, P. orientalis artificial forest, R. pseudoacacia artificial forest and natural Secondary forest were selected as typical artificial plantations and natural forests in this study. To analyze ecological benefits under different vegetation restoration types and discuss the optimal model of afforestation in the future, soil properties in 0-100 cm, vegetation attributes at four synusium, hydrological processes of 23 rainfall events and ecosystem functions (10-years soil water storage) were measured and compared. The results showed that: (1) the soil properties of natural forest, especially soil water retention, were better than that of planted forests; (2) the biomass of arborous synuium in natural forest was lower than that in artificial forest, while it was significantly higher at shrub and herbaceous synuium; (3) there were differences in rainfall redistribution between natural and artificial forest with the satisfactory water storage conversion in study, but the natural forest had the highest soil water storage (414.33 mm) during the last decade; (4) according to the structure equation model (SEM), the vegetation attributes at arborous and herbaceous synuium had the most direct and total effects on the hydrological processes and function in ecosystems. The results indicate that afforestation should be conducted in a nature inclusive manner, which can provide guidance for vegetation restoration in the Loess Plateau and similar ecologically-fragile regions in the future.

How to cite: Feng, T., Zhang, Y., and Wang, P.: Long-term effects of restoration strategies on ecosystem functions, soil conservation and afforestation on the Loess Plateau, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-9142, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-9142, 2024.

14:35–14:45

EGU24-686

ECS

On-site presentation

Can increased cover crop diversity bind more soil in the field and mitigate overland flow erosion?

Cristina McBride-Serrano, Ian C. Dodd, Timothy S. George, Alison J. Karley, and John N. Quinton

Agricultural intensification has simplified landscapes thereby reducing biodiversity, depleting natural resources, and threatening ecosystem services. Resilience to abiotic stress is therefore decreasing, creating uncertainty about effects of climate change on agricultural production and environmental degradation. While much research has focused on the direct benefits of increased plant diversity for crop productivity, there is limited evidence on how diversity and species selection affect soil stabilisation. How cover crops bind soil (rhizosheath development) has attracted little attention even though they can decrease soil erodibility.

A field trial investigated the impact of cover crop diversity on rhizosheath development and soil erodibility by conducting overland flow simulations. Species (Secale cereale, Brassica juncea, Vicia faba) were chosen for their suitability to UK environmental conditions. Results established that root biomass increased with cover crop diversity and was determined by the presence of Vicia faba. Rhizosheath formation was not affected by crop diversity and was greater in treatments containing Secale cereale. Overland flow simulations showed neither rhizosheath mass nor species diversity had an impact on soil erodibility, and the field variability of soil structural and hydraulic properties had a greater influence.

By providing evidence for increased plant diversity effects on agroecosystem function, this work will inform land managers about cropping practices to conserve soil function and aid in delivering environmental policy targets.

How to cite: McBride-Serrano, C., Dodd, I. C., George, T. S., Karley, A. J., and Quinton, J. N.: Can increased cover crop diversity bind more soil in the field and mitigate overland flow erosion?, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-686, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-686, 2024.

14:45–14:55

EGU24-13810

Virtual presentation

Effects of Different Vegetation Restoration Measures on Soil Health in Black Soil Region of Northeast China

Bingjie Liu and Yu Fu

To research the soil health of different vegetation restoration measures in black soil region of Northeast China, the 0-10cm soil layer with different vegetation restoration measures (pure larch forest and mixed forest) were selected to be the object of study in Binxian County, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China. The farmland were selected to be the control check (CK). The soil physical, chemical and biological indexes have been measured to determine the soil health of the soil with different vegetation restoration measures. The results showed that (i) in the 0-10cm soil layer, the soil bulk density of pure larch forest and mixed forest decreased significantly by 16% and 23%. The soil of the mixed forest has a lower soil bulk density and a higher soil water holding capacity and porosity. Compared with the soil of CK, the soil mean weight diameter of pure larch forest and mixed forest were significantly increased by 211.73% and 338.35%. The soil geometric mean diameter (GMD) of pure larch forest and mixed forest were significantly increased by 180.78% and 248.99%. (ii) The soil total carbon of pure larch forest and mixed forest were significantly increased by 39.98% and 43.98%. The soil total nitrogen of pure larch forest and mixed forest were significantly increased by 54.95% and 53.47%. The soil available K of pure larch forest and mixed forest were significantly increased by 26.88% and 133.67%. (iii) The soil microbial carbon (S-MC) of pure larch forest and mixed forest were significantly increased by 84.87% and 165.17%. The soil microbial nitrogen of pure larch forest and mixed forest were significantly increased by 10.80% and 62.32%. The Solid-Sucrase of pure larch forest and mixed forest were significantly increased by 45.79% and 73.68%. In general, there were significant differences in soil health among the soil with different vegetation restoration measures and CK. The mixed forest has the best restorative effects in the 0-10cm soil layer, which has the largest increase in GMD, available K and S-MC. The study would like to provide reference for the restoration of land and soil health evaluation in black soil region of Northeast China.

How to cite: Liu, B. and Fu, Y.: Effects of Different Vegetation Restoration Measures on Soil Health in Black Soil Region of Northeast China, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-13810, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-13810, 2024.

14:55–15:05

EGU24-2284

ECS

Virtual presentation

Simulation of soil water transport in apple-soybean intercropping system under drip irrigation and film mulching

Lisha Wang, Ruoshui Wang, Houshuai Dai, Chang Xiong, Meng Zhang, Li Chen, and Xin Wang

Intercropping and mulched drip irrigation are widely used techniques for achieving high yields and water savings. Understanding the soil moisture distribution characteristics of intercropping farmland under mulched drip irrigation is crucial for improving water use efficiency, increasing yields, and boosting income. This study aimed to investigate soil moisture under different irrigation amounts and film mulching times through a two-year field experiment.In the experiment, two upper limits of irrigation amount (50% and 80% of field water holding capacity) and two film mulching times (soybean sowing to pod setting stage and film mulching throughout the growth period) were set. The HYDRUS2D model was used to simulate the difference in soil moisture at various positions and the two-dimensional distribution characteristics of soil moisture in intercropping drip irrigation farmland. The results showed that the soil moisture model based on HYDRUS2D had high precision, with a coefficient of determination ranging from 0.60 to 0.93 and a root mean square error ranging from 0.006 to 0.038 cm³/cm³. In the horizontal direction, the soil moisture content at 2.3 m from the tree row increased by an average of 4.87% to 17.65% compared to other distances. In the vertical direction, the maximum soil moisture content was observed in the 40 cm soil layer, with an increase of 26.04% to 42% compared to the 10 cm soil layer. The 2-D soil moisture distribution showed that the moisture saturation zone of drip irrigation was mainly concentrated in the 0-20 cm soil layer. These findings can serve as a reference for developing irrigation schedules for intercropping farmland under drip irrigation.

How to cite: Wang, L., Wang, R., Dai, H., Xiong, C., Zhang, M., Chen, L., and Wang, X.: Simulation of soil water transport in apple-soybean intercropping system under drip irrigation and film mulching, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-2284, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-2284, 2024.

15:05–15:15

EGU24-18113

ECS

On-site presentation

Enhancing Crop Production and Soil Health: A Dual Approach with Process-Based Modeling and Continuous Soil Health Monitoring in Rainfed and Irrigated Agriculture in Tajikistan

Peter Visintin, Maximilian Thier, Cosima Benedek, Victoria Stoisser, Oliver Konold, Reinhard Nolz, Bano Mehdi-Schulz, Faridun Khudonazarov, Shinan Kassam, Sharif Aminov, Davlatshoh Khojaev, Sharif Khojaev, Mira Haddad, Akmal Akramkhanov, and Stefan Strohmeier

Unsustainable agricultural management in Tajikistan's norther Laksh district has caused significant land degradation. Climate change and the related hydrological shifts further disrupt water management, particularly in irrigated systems. The current farming practices such as inefficient furrow irrigation with saline water and conventional soil cultivation hamper the soil's infiltration capacity, intensify runoff, and eventually degrade various ecosystem functions including crop production. Advanced Information and Communications Technology (ICT) based decision support systems e.g. for irrigation scheduling are under development; however, key soil parameters, including soil hydraulic properties, are largely unknown. As part of Caritas Switzerland's Weather, Water, Climate Services (WWCS) initiative, jointly funded with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, this research combines monitoring and modeling based approaches to investigate the local soil-water-crop processes and to eventually enhance the according management, functionality and productivity in both irrigated and rainfed agricultural systems. Field-assessed soil physical, chemical and biological properties serve as the benchmarks for establishing a Soil Health Index and crafting process-based modeling scenarios. In irrigated systems a surrogate modeling approach is employed combining Hydrus 2D and its ‘Furrow’ submodule with AquaCrop. The establishment of the Soil Health Index is currently underway, with successive monitoring aimed at evaluating changes in soil health over time in relation to selected conservation practices. The assessment of soil hydraulic and physical properties has provided key parameters, including hydraulic conductivity, field capacity and permanent wilting point. Those parameters and knowledge can be directly integrated into ICT applications (e.g. weather-based irrigation advisory services) that optimize the use of scarce inputs (water, fertilizer, etc) within sustainable production systems; and simultaneously enhancing resilience to short term weather changes and longer-term climate change.

How to cite: Visintin, P., Thier, M., Benedek, C., Stoisser, V., Konold, O., Nolz, R., Mehdi-Schulz, B., Khudonazarov, F., Kassam, S., Aminov, S., Khojaev, D., Khojaev, S., Haddad, M., Akramkhanov, A., and Strohmeier, S.: Enhancing Crop Production and Soil Health: A Dual Approach with Process-Based Modeling and Continuous Soil Health Monitoring in Rainfed and Irrigated Agriculture in Tajikistan, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-18113, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-18113, 2024.

15:15–15:25

EGU24-14069

ECS

Virtual presentation

Behavior of Green Production Technology and Impact on Technical Efficiency——Evidence from China's Apple Growers

Chenxi Han and Jundi Liu

Under the common requirements of ensuring food security and agricultural green development goals, how to explore a way of coordinated development of cultivated land protection and utilization, and effectively achieve "storing grain in the land and storing grain in technology" is the focus of sustainable agricultural development in China. Based on the field survey data of 233 apple growers in typical apple growing areas of Shaanxi and Shanxi in China, this paper used the Super-SBM model to measure agricultural technical efficiency and the propensity score matching (PSM) method to analyze the impact of green production technology adoption behavior on agricultural technical efficiency, and the dimension of green production technology adoption was further expanded to analyze the impact of different technology adoption conditions on technical efficiency. The results showed that the average production technical efficiency of apple growers in typical apple growing areas of Shaanxi and Shanxi was 0.513, which had a large room for improvement on the whole. After eliminating sample selection bias by using PSM method, adopting green production technology could significantly improve the technical efficiency of apple growers. According to the results, the corresponding policy suggestions were provided to promote the adoption of technology by apple growers, protect the health of soil, improve the production efficiency of apple growers and realize the green development of agriculture.

How to cite: Han, C. and Liu, J.: Behavior of Green Production Technology and Impact on Technical Efficiency——Evidence from China's Apple Growers, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-14069, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-14069, 2024.

15:25–15:35

EGU24-4871

ECS

Virtual presentation

Effects of different mulching methods on soil moisture, fruit tree growth and yield in apple root zone yield of apple

Wenqiu Liu, Yuguo Han, Yuxin Yang, and Li Zeng

Mulching is an important measure to conserve moisture and increase yield in dryland orchards of the Loess Plateau, and it is critical to realize high and stable yield and sustainable development of fruit crops. Based on field positioning obervation, the comprehensive effects of different mulching methods on soil water storage, fruit tree growth and physiological status, yield were investigated. Treatments were straw mulching (SM), horticultural fabric mulching (BF), black plastic film mulching (BM), white plastic film mulching (WM) and no mulching (CK). The results showed that: (1) Compared with CK, different mulching measures can significantly increase the average soil water storage in the 0-120 cm soil layer during the whole reproductive period, which can provide a basis for the realization of inter-temporal water regulation; (2) Different mulching methods can significantly increase the growth of apple branches and LAI, and enhance the tree strength; (3) SM, BF, and BM can significantly increase the net photosynthetic rate, and BM inhibited the occurrence of midday depression; (4) Under the BF treatment, the yield, the anthocyanin content, the soluble sugar content, sugar-acid ratio and fruit hardness were higher than CK. Using the comprehensive scoring method to obtain BF as the optimal mulching method, so BF was an appropriate technique to improve the hydrological status, fruit yield and quality of apple orchard soil in the Loess Plateau.

How to cite: Liu, W., Han, Y., Yang, Y., and Zeng, L.: Effects of different mulching methods on soil moisture, fruit tree growth and yield in apple root zone yield of apple, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-4871, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-4871, 2024.

15:35–15:45

EGU24-4228

ECS

On-site presentation

The Green Great Wall: Time to Prioritize Water in Determining Green

(withdrawn)

Hang Xu, Zhiqiang Zhang, Jianzhuang Pang, and Xiaoyun Wu

Coffee break

Chairpersons: Iria Benavente-Ferraces, Gema Guzmán, Gunther Liebhard

16:15–16:25

EGU24-17024

ECS

On-site presentation

A long-term soil erosion modeling example in Central Europe over the last 150 years.

Raquel Falcao, Adam Babuljaka, Martina Mazancová, Tomáš Dostál, Anton Van Rompaey, Dominik Kaim, and Josef Krasa

Land use and climate change are the main anthropogenic factors influencing soil erosion (Borrelli et al., 2020), the former providing instant and abrupt effects. This justifies the profusion of related studies and their relevance in providing support for public policies. Europe acknowledges this importance, as the 8^th EAP includes the goal of no net land take by 2050. The Rimov catchment, in the southern part of the Czech Republic and partly in Austria, has undergone many land use changes in the region over the last 150 years. It has undergone two opposing processes in terms of their contribution to soil erosion potential: on one hand, agricultural land has been left for spontaneous vegetation recovery (therefore, reducing its potential for soil erosion); on the other hand, the enlargement of parcel size after the collectivization of agriculture has the potential to increase soil erosion. In addition, long-term soil erosion modeling should consider the effect of the change in the rain erosivity factor (R-factor), with the calibration of the model done with the rainfall data covering the study period, which will be considered on the hydrological modeling prior to the soil erosion modeling in this study. Using the WATEM/Sedem model, we analyze whether the regeneration of vegetation has been enough to counteract the effects of an increasing R-factor in the Rimov catchment.

Research has been supported by project TUDI (European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101000224) and by Program CELSA-fonds (Project The impact of depopulation on ecosystem services in Europe. A Pilot study in France, Czech Republic, and Poland No 3E220627)

References

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 April 2022 on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32022D0591, 2022

Borrelli, P., Robinson, D. A., Panagos, P., Lugato, E., Yang, J. E., Alewell, C., Wuepper, D., Montanarella, L., & Ballabio, C. (2020). Land use and climate change impacts on global soil erosion by water (2015-2070). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(36), 21994–22001. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2001403117

How to cite: Falcao, R., Babuljaka, A., Mazancová, M., Dostál, T., Van Rompaey, A., Kaim, D., and Krasa, J.: A long-term soil erosion modeling example in Central Europe over the last 150 years., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-17024, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-17024, 2024.

16:25–16:35

EGU24-3775

ECS

Virtual presentation

Differentiation of prokaryotic community composition in suspended sediment size-fractionation in a small loess watershed

Tongtong Li, Rui Wang, and Shengli Guo

The transfer of particle-bound prokaryotes and substrates from slopes to rivers during soil erosion is a crucial dynamic process that greatly influences terrestrial biological and geochemical cycles. Particle size strongly affects the transport distance of suspended sediments and likely induces prokaryote and substrate variations along the course of the river. Previous studies have mainly focused on the spatial redistribution of soil prokaryotes, whereas the variation in prokaryotic diversity and community composition among different particle size-fractions in suspended sediments remain unclear. In this study, suspended sediments were collected at four plots (upstream, middle stream, downstream, and dam) along a river that runs through a valley. Sampled sediments were size-fractionated into > 63 μm and < 63 μm particles (referred to as small and large particle fractions hereafter), to identify the corresponding prokaryotic community composition, interactions, and functions. The richness index (Chao1 and observed species) and the diversity index (Shannon) of sediment-associated prokaryotic communities significantly decreased from upstream towards dam plots, except in the small particle fraction in downstream and dam plots. The highest β-diversity index value was found for the large particle fractions, while the geospatial contribution to β-diversity varied. The concentration of Proteobacteria in downstream (41.39%) and dam (34.86%) plots was lower than that in the upstream (47.65%) and middle stream (45.90%) plots. In contrast, Cyanobacteria (4.89% and 6.75%) and Verrucomicrobiota (5.98% and 11.00%) concentrations were greater in the downstream and dam plots, respectively, than those in the upstream (0.93% and 2.43%) and middle stream (3.37% and 3.11%) plots, respectively. Additionally, the concentrations of Verrucomicrobiota and Bacteroidota were significantly higher in the small particle fractions (2.26–8.12% and 4.33–7.72%) than those in the large particle fractions (2.03–5.94% and 3.70–7.11%). Compared to the other plots, upstream plots had a larger clustered network and a greater number of co-occurrences within the prokaryotic community in the bulk sediment and in the small particle fraction, whereas more complex interactions among prokaryotic communities were found in the large particle fraction from the dam plots. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and Olsen phosphorus were the three most influential factors, explaining 67.41% of the variation in prokaryotic community. Proteobacteria and Myxococcota correlated negatively with SOC, TN, and Olsen P but positively with C=O. Conversely, Cyanobacteria and Verrucomicrobiota correlated positively with SOC, TN, and Olsen P but negatively with C=O. Functional groups linked to the biogeochemical cycling of carbon (methanol oxidation and methylotrophy) were found in high concentrations, whereas those linked to nitrogen (nitrogen and nitrate respiration) were found in low concentrations in upstream and middle stream plots. Reassembly of the sediment physicochemical characteristics among geospatial plots along the transport transect significantly altered the prokaryotic community composition and metabolic functional groups.

How to cite: Li, T., Wang, R., and Guo, S.: Differentiation of prokaryotic community composition in suspended sediment size-fractionation in a small loess watershed, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-3775, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-3775, 2024.

16:35–16:45

EGU24-6991

Virtual presentation

Calculation and Analysis of Soil Erodibility Factor (K) on a Global Scale

Miaomiao yang, Qinke Yang, Keli Zhang, Guowei Pang, Chunmei Wang, Lei Wang, and Yongqing Long

The soil erodibility factor (K) is the main data required for regional soil erosion investigation and mapping using soil erosion models. USLE-K, RUSLE2-K, EPIC-K and Dg-K are four widely used methods for calculating soil erodibility factor (K). However, it remains to be studied which algorithm is more suitable to calculate soil erodibility factor (K) in the global scale. While, soil erodibility factor (K) is mostly calculated based on soil physical and chemical property data, which does not involve the content of rock fragments in these algorithms. However, the amount of rock fragments and thier distribution difference have a certain influence on soil physical and chemical properties, and then affect the accuracy of the estimation of soil erodibility factor (K). In this paper, USLE-K, RUSLE2-K, EPIC-K and Dg-K algorithms were used to estimate global soil erodibility factor (K), and its spatial pattern and main controlling factors were analyzed. In this paper, the measured data of soil erodibility factor (K) were retrieved by literature search, and the measured database of K factor value was established. The rationality of the results of the above four algorithms was analyzed, and the above four algorithms for calculating K factor were modified according to the measured database of K factor. At the same time, USLE-K and RUSLE2-K algorithm are taken as an example to calculate the effect of rock fragments in the soil profile and rock fragments on the soil surface. The results showed that (1) The spatial pattern of global K factors estimated by the USLE-K, RUSLE2-K, EPIC-K and Dg-K models is similar, but the values in the K surfaces are different in some extent. (2) Comparing to 106 measured values, the mean value of estimated RUSLE2-K is the closest to the measured K factor, followed by the USLE-K algorithm and the EPIC-K algorithm, while the estimated K by Dg-K algorithm is quite different from the measured K factor. (3) The presence of rock fragment in the soil profile increased the global soil erodibility factor. The rock fragment on the soil surface reduces soil erodibility. This article made the calculation of K more complete and accurate, thereby improving the accuracy of regional soil erosion estimation. And provide the necessary scientific basis for the selection of K algorithms globally.

How to cite: yang, M., Yang, Q., Zhang, K., Pang, G., Wang, C., Wang, L., and Long, Y.: Calculation and Analysis of Soil Erodibility Factor (K) on a Global Scale, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-6991, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-6991, 2024.

16:45–16:55

EGU24-7414

ECS

On-site presentation

Modelling the effects of long-term tillage practices on soil organic carbon stocks in Pyhra

Marton Toth, Jess Davies, John Quinton, Christine Stumpp, Andreas Klik, Bano Mehdi-Schulz, Gunther Liebhard, Peter Strauss, and Stefan Strohmeier

In contrast to conventional tillage, conservation practices can increase carbon storage in the topsoil. However, it remains unclear how soil organic carbon (SOC) changes under future climate, which would be essential striving towards sustainability. Process-based models are useful for exploring future environmental changes and understanding how systems may respond to multiple future drivers. Here, we applied the model N14CP, an integrated terrestrial C-N-P cycle model, to a nearly three-decadal long-term field experimental site in Lower Austria to simulate and determine the impacts of conventional tillage (CT), mulch tillage (MT), and no-till (NT) practices in combination with climate scenarios on SOC stocks in the topsoil (0-15 cm). Presumably, the experimental site was used as a grassland for centuries before being converted into conventionally tilled arable land in 1970; the MT and NT tillage plots were laid out in 1994. Since then, the study site was comprehensively sampled in 2002, 2013, and 2023. The research quantifies the long-term SOC stock changes from 1994 to 2100, considering the three tillage practices and RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios in the near (2021-2050) and far (2071-2100) future. The N14CP model performed well with the measured and simulated data validation. Based on our estimations, the NT is the only tillage practice that could increase SOC stocks between 1994 to 2100. However, considering +1.4 °C and +2.3 °C (RCP4.5) as well as +1.3 °C and +4.0 °C (RCP8.5) potential changes in the short-term and late-term future led to a decrease in the carbon stocks in the NT topsoil. SOC stock significantly decreased under CT and MT. Since the NT was the tillage practice that could retain the topsoil carbon, it can be considered an appropriate approach to deal with climate change in comparable agro-ecosystems.

How to cite: Toth, M., Davies, J., Quinton, J., Stumpp, C., Klik, A., Mehdi-Schulz, B., Liebhard, G., Strauss, P., and Strohmeier, S.: Modelling the effects of long-term tillage practices on soil organic carbon stocks in Pyhra, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-7414, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-7414, 2024.

16:55–17:05

EGU24-3685

Virtual presentation

Effects of windbreak on soil conservation: Serving as a potential reference for quantifying soil erosion

Zhuodong Zhang, Jianyong Luo, and Bo Chen

Windbreak plays an important role in soil conservation in arid and semiarid areas. Owing to its protective effects on soil, windbreak could potentially serve as a reference of no erosion to identify the soil erosion rates in the nearby croplands. To testify the applicability, a case study was implemented in a wind and water eroded agro-pastoral transition zone in North China. A Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System (RTK GPS) was applied for a series of croplands to quantify the total soil erosion induced by both wind and water over a period of 44 years. By comparing the elevation of the eroded croplands and the windbreaks without erosion, the total soil erosion modulus and its spatial variation were determined. Results showed that the erosion moduli of the six croplands ranged from 1.09 to 45.34 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ with an average modulus of 17.02 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. The croplands in the west suffered from more intense wind erosion compared to the middle and eastern areas, which was a result of the effects of the windbreaks. The reliability and uncertainty of this approach were discussed in terms of the equipment precision, results accuracy, and possible deposition in the windbreaks. This study confirms that windbreak can be a feasible reference for quantifying soil erosion. Furthermore, such quantification is a direct measurement of total soil erosion, which is essential for assessing the contributions of wind erosion and water erosion as well as the interaction between them.

How to cite: Zhang, Z., Luo, J., and Chen, B.: Effects of windbreak on soil conservation: Serving as a potential reference for quantifying soil erosion, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-3685, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-3685, 2024.

17:05–17:15

EGU24-6323

ECS

Virtual presentation

Does nitrogen management in winter wheat affect its yield and nitrate-N leaching in a wheat-soybean double cropping system?

Oluwaseun Ola, Osman Guzel, Karla Gage, Karl Williard, Jon Schoonover, Steffen Mueller, and Amir Sadeghpour

Conventional corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation contributes to nitrate-N and phosphate leaching to waterbodies causing water quality concerns. Two strategies that could minimize N and P losses include (i) incorporating winter rye (Secale cereale L.) (WR) as a cover crop to capture residual nutrients or (ii) intensifying the corn-soybean rotation with winter wheat (WW) (Triticum aestivum L.) (Double cropping). Double cropping WW at a right N management could increase farm profit and provide incentives for adoption as well. A trial was established at two sites (Carbondale, and Belleville, IL) to evaluate soybean and overall cash crop performance along with nitrate-N and phosphate losses in a single season [soybean following a no-cover crop control vs. WR as compared to three double cropping scenarios (low, medium, and high intensity N management of WW prior to soybean). The results indicated that double cropping decreased soybean yield regardless of N management intensity during the previous WW. Nitrogen addition to WW resulted in increased nitrate-N leaching during the WW phase but at medium and high N intensity scenarios, decreased the nitrate-N leaching during the following soybean phase and overall WW-soybean growing seasons suggesting double cropping could minimize N losses and provide farm profit.

How to cite: Ola, O., Guzel, O., Gage, K., Williard, K., Schoonover, J., Mueller, S., and Sadeghpour, A.: Does nitrogen management in winter wheat affect its yield and nitrate-N leaching in a wheat-soybean double cropping system?, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-6323, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-6323, 2024.

17:15–17:25

EGU24-13581

ECS

On-site presentation

The IN-GEST SOIL Project: results of the introduction of good practices for soil management in piedmont vineyards

Giorgio Capello, Marcella Biddoccu, Francesco Palazzi, Laura Allemanno, Fermin Maggi, Matteo Tasca, Davide Ferrarese, Daniela Tornato, Andres Manunta, Simone Bussotti, and Elisa Paravidino

The IN-GEST SOIL Project (Innovation in viticulture soils management trough the adoption of good practices and tools to support field activities), funded by the EU and Regione Piemonte within Rural development program 2014-2020 for Operational Groups, aims to reduce soil erosion and enhance soil and vine quality in Piedmont hillside vineyards. This is achieved through the introduction of three key innovations: 1) Improved best soil management practices; 2) Agro-meteorological monitoring for improved water and soil management; 3) ICT tools for the management of monitored data and field observations, to support farmers in vineyard management and water-soil conservation. This study aims to improve the environmental sustainability of the vineyard, a goal that gains significance in the face of the context of the climate change. With forecasts predicting rising temperatures, decreasing rainfall, and an increase in extreme events like droughts and intense rainfall in thein the Mediterranean region, the project’s relevance is underscored. In Piedmont, recent rainfall scarcity has led wine growers to reduce the use of permanent grassing, opting instead for temporary or partial cover crops. While beneficial to soil functioning regardless of soil type, these cover crops often compete for water with grapevines, necessitating careful management in water-scarce areas. To explore the impact of different soil management systems and appropriate field operation planning, the IN-GEST project implemented study cases in 2021. These were conducted over two growing seasons in one experimental and five commercial vineyards located in the Alto Monferrato, Gavi and Colli Tortonesi vine-growing areas. In each vineyard, a more conservative soil management practice was compared with current or traditional practices. The effects on soil quality and vineyard production were investigated through monitoring runoff and soil erosion at plot scale, bulk density and soil penetration resistance, soil water content, hydraulic conductivity, ground cover and surface biomass, and grapevine development and production. Vine-growers and agrotechnicians actively collaborated to the study cases, by collecting runoff data and recording field observations and operations through a specific app, which also provide information for vineyard’s management.

The results of the study confirmed the positive effect of permanent spontaneous grass in reducing runoff, erosion and soil compaction, especially in sloping vineyards. Grape production in 2021 and 2022 was higher or stable with the innovative soil management in the case of sown green cover. However, it was lower with permanent grass cover compared to tillage, especially in the younger and flat vineyard. It should be noted that the monitored seasons were exceptionally dry, with the latter characterized by low production across the region. In most of the monitored vineyards, less intensive soil management resulted in increased water infiltration during rainfall events and higher soil moisture in topsoil and, in some cases, at depth of 40 cm. The benefits of grass cover were more evident when a selected grass mixture was sown and used as green manure, resulting in reduced soil bulk density and increased soil moisture, even during very dry seasons.

How to cite: Capello, G., Biddoccu, M., Palazzi, F., Allemanno, L., Maggi, F., Tasca, M., Ferrarese, D., Tornato, D., Manunta, A., Bussotti, S., and Paravidino, E.: The IN-GEST SOIL Project: results of the introduction of good practices for soil management in piedmont vineyards, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-13581, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-13581, 2024.

Discussion Post a comment

17:25–17:35

EGU24-7265

ECS

Virtual presentation

Assessment of Soil Erosion in the Pan-Third Pole Region

Xuyan Yang, Chaozheng Du, Qinke Yang, Chunmei Wang, Guowei Pang, Lei Wang, and Yongqing Long

Abstract: Climate change and human activities are seriously affecting the intensity and extent of soil erosion in the Pan-Third Pole region (PTP), which covers an area of approximately 5.14 × 10⁷ km². Accurate assessment of soil wind and water erosion is crucial for controlling soil degradation. In this study, soil water erosion in the PTP was estimated for 2018 using sampling units and the China Soil Loss Equation (CSLE), and soil wind erosion in the PTP from 1982 to 2020 was simulated using the Revised Soil Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ), based on meteorological, soils, topographic, and remote sensing data. The results showed that: (1) Soil water erosion in the PTP mainly occurs in East Asia, South Asia, and the Black Sea coastal region, and the average soil wind erosion rate of the whole region is 263.4 t•km^-2•a^-1, and the average water erosion rate of the key erosion areas with water erosion rates exceeding 2,500 t•km^-2•a^-1 is 22.6 times higher than the average water erosion rate of the study area, and annual erosion amounted to 57.1×10⁸t, accounting for 38.6% of total erosion amount. The soil water erosion rates of cropland, grassland, and forest were 525.7 t•km^-2•a^-1, 362.6 t•km^-2•a^-1, and 185.6 t•km^-2•a^-1, respectively. (2) Soil wind erosion in the PTP mainly occurs in cropland and grassland in semi-arid areas, and aeolian sand activity primarily occurring in extremely arid and arid areas (deserts), and the average multi-year soil wind erosion rate in regions other than deserts is 633.65 t•km^-2•a^-1, of which the mean soil wind erosion rate in the area where soil wind erosion rate is greater than 50 t•km^-2•a^-1 was 4,316.94 t•km^-2•a^-1, for cropland, grassland, and scrubland were 1,981.14 t•km^-2•a^-1, 3,815.05 t•km^-2•a^-1, and 4,010.95 t•km^-2•a^-1, respectively. (3) From 1982 to 2020, the soil wind erosion rate in the PTP decreased by 10.61 t•km^-2•a^-1. The proportion of the area with a decreasing trend was 19.53%, while the proportion of the area with an increasing trend was 28.35%. (4) Soil wind and water combined erosion mainly occur in cross-border regions of northern Syria, the Indus River Plain, the northern border of Iran and Afghanistan, the southwestern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, central Mongolia, the central part of the Loess Plateau, Inner Mongolia, and the bordering areas of the three eastern provinces, the average soil erosion rate of is 4,534.77 t•km^-2•a^-1, with the average soil erosion rates for grassland and cropland being 4,752.41 t•km^-2•a^-1 and 1,495.68 t•km^-2•a^-1, respectively. This study provided a comprehensive understanding of soil erosion (both soil wind and water erosion) in the PTP, and offered valuable data and decision-making support for current and future soil erosion prevention and ecological restoration projects.

How to cite: Yang, X., Du, C., Yang, Q., Wang, C., Pang, G., Wang, L., and Long, Y.: Assessment of Soil Erosion in the Pan-Third Pole Region, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-7265, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-7265, 2024.

17:35–17:45

EGU24-3800

ECS

Virtual presentation

Soil aggregates differently modulated bacterial community and function composition with fertilized regimes

Wei Zhang, Rui Wang, and Shengli Guo

Soil aggregates influence bacterial spatial distribution by providing varying substrate-laden micro-habitats. Understanding the nuances of bacterial variation within aggregates is essential for comprehending the involvement of soil microbes in biogeochemical processes. However, as a common practice for improving crop yields, it remains unclear how aggregates influence the redistribution of bacterial communities and functional composition across different fertilizer regimes. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA to examine the variation in soil bacterial communities across three different aggregate sizes (macroaggregate: >250 μm; mesoaggragate: 250-63 μm, and microaggregate: <63 μm) under three fertilizer regimes (CK, unfertilized soil; NP, nitrogen & phosphorus; NPM, nitrogen, phosphorus & manure) in calcareous soil in a 38-year experiment. The higher richness (Chao1) and diversity (Shannon) were found in microaggregate in the NP treatment, whereas the higher values were found in the macroaggregate after farmyard manure application (NPM) compared with meso and microaggregates. Bacterial community compositions had significantly difference among aggregate sizes from non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Further, we observed more complex co-occurrence networks (more links and a higher average degree) in the mesoaggregates compared with both micro and macroaggregates. The relative abundance of metabolic pathways related to C5-Branched dibasic acid metabolism, Biosynthesis of vancomycin group antibiotics and Fatty acid biosynthesis were higher in macroaggregates. However, the relative abundance of Biosynthesis of ansamycins was higher in mesoaggregates. Bacterial richness was positively correlated with biological index, but negatively with quantity and quality of soil carbon (dissolved organic carbon, fluorescence index and humification index). Our study highlights the distinct distribution characteristics of bacterial communities in different-sized aggregates with fertilization regimes. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex interactions between soil aggregates, bacterial communities, and agricultural practices.

How to cite: Zhang, W., Wang, R., and Guo, S.: Soil aggregates differently modulated bacterial community and function composition with fertilized regimes, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-3800, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-3800, 2024.

17:45–17:55

EGU24-21032

On-site presentation

Implementation of soil restoration strategies based on methodology for defining soil health farm types in EU

Dimitre Nikolov, Ivan Boevsky, Krasimir Kostenarov, Ekatherina Tzvetanova, Martin Banov, Magardich Huliyan, Laura Zavattaro, Josef Krasa, Tomas Dostal, Gunther Carl Liebhard, Peter Strauss, Zsofia Bakacsi, Csilla Hudek, and Jose A. Gomez

Soil health is a significant problem in agriculture which demands a tailor-made approach. The study aims to develop a methodological approach for farm typology construction in terms of soil health. Thus, the focus is on EU farms, which produce in the three key cropping systems - grassland, cereal-based rotation, and tree crops. It was applied principal component analysis based on which it was constructed four factors, related to soil health. This approach bridges soil health problems with socioeconomic, environmental, and technology assessments. Soil health farm typology determinations is an essential step in any realistic evaluation of constraints and opportunities that farmers face and helps develop appropriate technological solutions, policy interventions, and comprehensive environmental assessment. It can be used to describe the possibilities and implications at larger regional scales of new strategies for promoting soil restoring and best fertilization technologies in agriculture and its inclusion in agricultural and environmental policies. The farm typology in term of soil health was constructed applying two sequential multivariate techniques: principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis (CA).

Key words: soil health, farm typology, crops, tree crops, cereal-based rotation, grassland

Acknowledgement: The research is made under the project “Transforming Unsustainable management of soils in key agricultural systems in EU and China. Developing an integrated platform of alternatives to reverse soil degradation” – TUdi. This project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation action under grant agreement No 101000224.

How to cite: Nikolov, D., Boevsky, I., Kostenarov, K., Tzvetanova, E., Banov, M., Huliyan, M., Zavattaro, L., Krasa, J., Dostal, T., Liebhard, G. C., Strauss, P., Bakacsi, Z., Hudek, C., and Gomez, J. A.: Implementation of soil restoration strategies based on methodology for defining soil health farm types in EU, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-21032, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-21032, 2024.

Posters on site: Tue, 16 Apr, 16:15–18:00 | Hall X3

Display time: Tue, 16 Apr 14:00–Tue, 16 Apr 18:00

Chairpersons: Iria Benavente-Ferraces, Ruoshui Wang

X3.87

EGU24-20790

Optimized fertilizer N rates for bioenergy feedstock production and water quality in drylands

Brett Allen, Upendra Sainju, and Sadikshya Dangi

Bioenergy feedstocks offset demand for conventional petroleum-based energy resources. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm-season perennial grass that has been utilized for lingo-cellulosic ethanol production and direct energy via combustion. However, little is known about its potential as a feedstock in the semi-arid northern Great Plains USA, including effects of N fertilizer application on system productivity and environmental quality. A field study initiated in 2009 seeded ‘Sunburst’ switchgrass into plots with fertilizer N broadcast each spring at 0, 28, 56, and 84 kg N per ha as urea, with four treatment replicates. Each fall beginning in 2011, aboveground biomass was harvested, weighed, and dried. Soil cores to a depth of 1.2 m were taken in fall 2018, air-dried, and analyzed for soil nitrate. Switchgrass biomass ranged from 1.8 to 12.3 Mg per ha. In most years, N application increased switchgrass biomass, but response to N rates above 28 kg per ha was inconsistent. Biomass from fertilized switchgrass averaged 6.5 Mg per ha compared to 4.4 Mg per ha for the unfertilized control. Soil nitrate levels indicated the potential of over-fertilization of switchgrass feedstocks to negatively impact water resources in drylands.

How to cite: Allen, B., Sainju, U., and Dangi, S.: Optimized fertilizer N rates for bioenergy feedstock production and water quality in drylands, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-20790, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-20790, 2024.

X3.88

EGU24-11211

ECS

Assessment of Nitrogen Dynamics in an Acidic Sandy-Loam Soil: Impact of Varied Nitrogen Sources and Incorporation of Chabazite Zeolite Tuff

Matteo Alberghini, Giacomo Ferretti, Giulio Galamini, Barbara Faccini, Silvia Balzan, and Massimo Coltorti

Volcanic tuffs containing high percentage of zeolites have been extensively studied, both in their natural state or enriched with nitrogen, as a means of enhancing soil properties and fertilizer efficiency. Limited data however exist on their application in acidic sandy soils and in conjunction with organic fertilizers.

This work consists of a 50-day laboratory incubation study wherein the nitrogen dynamics in an acidic sandy-loam agricultural soil fertilized with various nitrogen sources were investigated. These sources included urea, nitrogen-enriched chabazite zeolite tuff, and pelleted composted manure. Additionally, the nitrogen sources were tested in combination with the addition of chabazite zeolite tuff in its natural state to act as a soil improver.

The results revealed distinct behaviors among the various nitrogen sources, particularly affecting soil pH and nitrogen dynamics. Mineralization was very slow in manure-fertilized soil, whereas nitrogen-enriched zeolite exhibited a more balanced behavior in terms of net nitrate production and ammonium consumption. Nitrogen-enriched zeolite and urea demonstrated a temporary "liming" effect, while pelleted manure promoted a prolonged shift of soil pH toward neutral values.

In conclusion, nitrogen-charged chabazite zeolite tuff proved to be a valuable nitrogen source in acidic sandy-loam soil, serving as a viable alternative to synthetic fertilizers and an effective means of nitrogen recycling.

How to cite: Alberghini, M., Ferretti, G., Galamini, G., Faccini, B., Balzan, S., and Coltorti, M.: Assessment of Nitrogen Dynamics in an Acidic Sandy-Loam Soil: Impact of Varied Nitrogen Sources and Incorporation of Chabazite Zeolite Tuff, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-11211, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-11211, 2024.

X3.89

EGU24-18000

ECS

Watershed Resilience - Soil and Water Management in Arid Regions to Prevent Desertification

Mira Haddad, Abeyou Worqlul, Doa’a Abu Hammour, Muhi El-Dine Hilali, and Osama Gazal

Jordan faces a critical challenge of land degradation and water scarcity, primarily affecting the extensive natural rangeland (Badia), which covers over 80% of the country's area. The degradation of natural vegetation, adversely affects local agropastoral communities that are depending on livestock farming and triggeing downstream issues such as flash floods and sedimentation in dams. Water harvesting and increasing vegetation cover are promising technologies to adapt and reduce the impact.

The Badia Research Site (BRS), a confined watershed of approximately 1000 hectares, rainwater harvesting (RWH) and plantation techniques have shown promise in reducing soil erosion and runoff rates and enhancing various ecosystem services. The BRS research is mainly led by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the Jordan National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), supported by the United States Forestry Service (USFS).

This study involves (1) scaling out two RWH techniques, namely the Vallerani and the Marab, on a larger basin. The scaling out utilises local and international datasets, incorporating biophysical parameters such as land use, digital elevation models, slope, topographic wetness index, soil texture, and climate data. Optimal ecological conditions for plants, including temperature and soil pH, are considered. (2) The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is employed to analyse and assess the impact on surface hydrological processes.

The focus is on the Wadi Al Mujib basin, covering 6584.37 km² in the central part of Jordan. The semi-arid to arid environment comprises two principal wadies, Wadi Al Walah and Wadi Mujib, with distinct catchment surfaces. The basin's predominantly desert land, receiving varying levels of rainfall, poses challenges to 80% of its area, while the remaining 20% is dedicated to agricultural and residential use.

The study further employs the model to evaluate global climate change scenarios, assessing the impact and quantifying changes in ecosystem services with and without restoration efforts. These findings contribute to supporting the Jordanian government's restoration endeavours, offering a holistic approach to addressing land degradation and water scarcity challenges in the region.

Keywords: Watershed assessment, Degraded land restoration, Suitability mapping, Water harvesting techniques, Sustainable land management, and Ecosystem Services

How to cite: Haddad, M., Worqlul, A., Abu Hammour, D., Hilali, M. E.-D., and Gazal, O.: Watershed Resilience - Soil and Water Management in Arid Regions to Prevent Desertification, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-18000, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-18000, 2024.

X3.90

EGU24-8651

ECS

Evaluating agricultural management systems: Case study of apple orchards in Chinese Luochuan

Weinan sun, xiaoping zhang, José Alfonso Gomez, Gangshuan Bai, Zefeng An, and Xuanhao Liu

Agricultural management behavior is one of the core features of agricultural soil ecosystems. Poor human management may contribute to the rapid degradation of soils on a world-wide scale.Traditional management, which usually aims to maximize productivity, faces great challenges when pursuing agricultural soil health, high efficiency, and sustainable development. Evaluating the agricultural soil management system based on multiple perspectives is crucial for effectively guiding the management framework. A large number of research on agricultural management evaluation mainly focues on national and regional scales, and the evaluations are dominated by socio-economic indicators. Comprehensive evaluations at the sample scale, that incorporate specific agricultural management techniques need to be further explored.This paper establishes an agricultural management evaluation system at sample-scale based on the DSR logical framework. The capital- and labor-related indicators are used as system Drivers, technical indicators resulted from soil management and soil properties to characterize the management Status, and economic output-related indicators as system Responses. Then, a comprehensive index is calculated to inform the economic characteristics, ecological friendliness, and soil health status. As the case study, three distinct agricultural soil management systems of apple orchards in Chinese Luochuan were assessed. The results show that organic-management system is superior for excellent management skills, the conventional management system is lowest in the index due to inferior drivers and technical indicators. The green- management system is middle one. The method is useful for evaluating the soil management system in the similar agricultural areas in the world.

How to cite: sun, W., zhang, X., Gomez, J. A., Bai, G., An, Z., and Liu, X.: Evaluating agricultural management systems: Case study of apple orchards in Chinese Luochuan, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-8651, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-8651, 2024.

X3.91

EGU24-2929

A field guide for evaluation of erosion risk in olive orchards under contrasting environmental and management conditions.

Jose Alfonso Gomez, Ignacio Domenech, Maria Auxiliadora Soriano, and Maria Gema Guzman

Olive is one of the dominant crops in the Mediterranean basin, although is also an expanding crop in other areas of the World with similar climate type (Camposeo and Gómez, 2023). Olive trees are cultivated in arid and semi-arid areas, and this has resulted in a management strategy oriented towards limited vegetative ground cover to improve water availability for the crop. This fact, combined with cultivation in sloping areas and periodic high-intensity rainfall events, has led to high erosion rates in many olive-growing areas (Milgroom et al., 2007; Camposeo and Gómez, 2023).
Implementation of appropriate soil management and strategies for erosion control relies on an adequate appraisal of the erosion intensity, processes and the relationship between soil management and environmental (soil, climate…) conditions by stakeholders. Evaluation of water erosion risk at the farm level is usually a complex process based on modelling approaches and it is not appealing to end-users who need simpler and easier-to-understand tools. There are successful examples of tools for appraisal erosion risk at farm level in olives trees, like the one of Milgroom et al. (2006, 2007). However, the implementation of these tools is limited to some management practices and region in which they were developed (e.g. organic olive orchards in southern Spain, Milgroom et al., 2006).
Within the context of the TUdi project, there is on-going research to develop generalized versions for appraising erosion risk in woody crops in contrasting environments and management strategies (Gómez et al., 2023). This communication will show the complete version of a field tool for appraising water erosion risk in olive groves, valid for all olive-growing areas, developed in cooperation with projects SCALE, TUdi, ECOMED and BIOLIVAR. It is based on a dual approach combining erosion risk estimation from basic farm and management features, based on simplified RUSLE factors (Renard et al., 1997) combined with erosion symptoms. In this communication, the theoretical basis of the tool and its calibration, and the interpretation of the results based on several examples across the contrasting areas will be presented.
With this approach, this tool aims to achieve these objectives:
1- To provide a standardized tool valid across multiple environments and cropping conditions to evaluate water erosion risk in olive cultivation.
2- To develop an educational tool to provide training on prevention water erosion in olive orchards.

Acknowledgements: This work is supported by the projects SCALE (EJP Soil Horizon 2020 GA 862695), ECOMED (PR.AVA23.INV202301.035), GOPO-SE-20-0002 (EIP-Agri), TUdi (Horizon 2020, GA 101000224) and PID2019-105793RB-I00 (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation).
References:
Camposeo, S. and Gómez, J.A. 2023. Soil Management, In: The Olive, Botany and Production, pp 325-349, CABI International
Gómez J.A. et al., 2023. A standardized, hybrid, field guide for appraising water erosion risk by practitioners in multiple woody crops and environments. EGU23-1398, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-1398
Milgroom et al., 2006. Erosión en olivar ecológico. Manual de campo: diagnóstico y recomendaciones, http://hdl.handle.net/10261/66497
Milgroom et al., 2007. Land Degradation & Development, 18: 397-411.
Renard et al., 1997. Agricultural Handbook 703, USDA-ARS. Washington, DC.

How to cite: Gomez, J. A., Domenech, I., Soriano, M. A., and Guzman, M. G.: A field guide for evaluation of erosion risk in olive orchards under contrasting environmental and management conditions., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-2929, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-2929, 2024.

Discussion Post a comment

X3.92

EGU24-3052

ECS

Vegetative barriers as a nature-based solution for agricultural landscapes diversification: design and management of this green infrastructure in a Mediterranean climate.

Javier Montoliu, Gema Guzmán, Ángel Lora, José Mora, Maria Auxiliadora Soriano, and José Alfonso Gómez

Agricultural intensification has used technological advances to raise food production, but it has also created environmental imbalances. Environmental degradation, e.g. soil loss and offsite contamination, and loss of biodiversity, related to the expansion and intensification of agriculture, have been documented internationally^[1][2]. Since the 1980s, with the Single European Act^[3] as a legal basis, different attempts have been made to address this threat at European level through better focused environmental policies. For instance since the CAP reform in 1992, environmental sustainability of agriculture has been constantly ongoing. In fact, the latest reform post-2021 shows more ambitious objectives with the introduction of eco-regimes. Other key initiatives like the Green Infrastructure Strategies and the EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe have emerged^[4][5][6] being focused on recovering natural capital as a source of ecosystem services.

In this context, ALIve^[7], SCALE^[8] and ECOMED^[9] projects and the Rural Landscape Diversification Program of the Córdoba Countryside^[10] aim to provide scientific and technical knowledge for the sustainable intensification of agriculture in Mediterranean areas, in particular southern Spain, through nature-based solutions.

Although vegetative barriers are one of the key instruments to manage agricultural landscapes towards sustainable intensification, detailed empirical information on how to implement them still scarce. This communication presents an experiment on different alternatives on how to stablish a vegetative barrier combining fifty-two herbaceous and woody species adapted for Mediterranean conditions. This experiment explores seventeen different strategies, combining different irrigation, mulching and tillage combinations. In these plots, growth, survival and phytosanitary status of the plants, and soil moisture at the end of each hydrological year were monitored since its implantation in February 2021. This communication presents results from the first year of implementation, as well as a costs analysis of the different strategies evaluated. This information can be valuable for practitioners and planners interested in these nature-based solutions.

After the first year, it was observed that all the treatments presented a remarkable survival rate, above 48% (CoT4), albeit this increases with better management reaching 100% with better tillage, mulching and drip irrigation. Plant growth also responded to best management ranging from 14.1 cm in height (CoT4) and 11.8 cm in diameter (CoT3) to 46.7 cm in height (CoT9) and 58.8 cm in diameter (CoT9). The cost of implementation ranged from 1.7 €/m² (CoT4) to 6.0 €/m² (CoT9). Among the most successful individual operations is mulching with a fabric film, which despite having the highest implementation cost 2.5 €/m² results in the lowest maintenance cost 0.4 €/m².

Acknowledgements: ALIve (PID2019-105793RB-I00), SCALE (Nº 862695) and ECOMED (PR.AVA23.INV202301.035).

References:

[1] MITECO, «Plan estratégico estatal del patrimonio natural y de la biodiversidad a 2030». 2022.
[2] European Commission, «EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030». 2020.
[3] European Economic Community, «Single European Act». 1987.
[4] European Commission, «Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital». 2013.
[5] MITECO, «Estrategia Nacional de Infraestructura Verde y de la Conectividad y Restauración Ecológicas». 2021.
[6] European Commission, «EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe». 2023.
[7] https://alive.csic.es/
[8] https://ejpsoil.eu/soil-research/scale/
[9] https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/agriculturaypesca/ifapa/web/node/60947
[10] https://www.jardinbotanicodecordoba.com/investigacion/diversificacion-del-paisaje-agrario/

How to cite: Montoliu, J., Guzmán, G., Lora, Á., Mora, J., Soriano, M. A., and Gómez, J. A.: Vegetative barriers as a nature-based solution for agricultural landscapes diversification: design and management of this green infrastructure in a Mediterranean climate., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-3052, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-3052, 2024.

X3.93

EGU24-6470

Effects of common inter-row management practices on vineyard soils in four European vineyard regions

Peter Strauss, Stefan Strohmeier, Marton Toth, and Gunther Carl Liebhard

Vineyards are often located in areas with poor soil quality and hilly terrain. Conservation agricultural management with the inclusion of cover crops helps to maintain or increase the existing soil fertility in these areas that are difficult to cultivate. However, there are also several reasons in favour of keeping vineyard inter-rows bare, including competition for water and nutrients, restrictions in pest control, and additional costs. As a result, a variety of site-adapted inter-row management systems have been developed in the different wine-growing regions. We investigated the effects of common management practices on soil organic carbon and soil physical parameters in topsoils of Austrian, French, Romanian, and Spanish wine-growing regions. In each region, we analysed management systems with and without cover crops. The comparison between the vineyard regions shows the variety of management intensities across the vineyard regions and their effects on soil quality parameters. Due to the differences in climate, soil, and management systems and, in particular, the mechanical soil disturbance intensity, bare soil, and cover crop management led to a broad range of soil organic carbon stocks, soil structure parameters, and soil hydraulic properties. While cover crop management caused an increase in carbon stocks in most vineyards compared to bare soil management, cover crop management in Spain was not effective in increasing soil organic carbon accumulation. In line with the increase in organic carbon also the measured soil structure parameters improved, yet the extent depended on the type and intensity of soil disturbance. The least clear effects of inter-row management systems were found for soil hydraulic parameters. As the local management strategies are a combination of adaptations to local conditions, farmers' experiences, and historical developments, the findings from the comparison of the systems can be used to rethink local strategies and improve the individual systems. This primarily concerns the type and intensity of cover crop management.

How to cite: Strauss, P., Strohmeier, S., Toth, M., and Liebhard, G. C.: Effects of common inter-row management practices on vineyard soils in four European vineyard regions, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-6470, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-6470, 2024.

X3.94

EGU24-2795

ECS

Effects of biochar and its co-application with inorganic and organic fertilizers on soil microbial respiration and temperature sensitivity of carbon mineralization.

María José Carpio Espinosa, Clément Bonnefoy-Claudet, Mathieu Thévenot, Olivier Mathieu, Iria Benavente-Ferraces, Juan Carlos García-Gil, César Plaza, and Marco Panettieri

Biochar application to agricultural soils represents a strategy for carbon sequestration and soil quality enhancement. However, long-term field studies on the interactive effects of combined application of biochar and inorganic or organic fertilizers on temperature sensitivity of soil respiration (Q₁₀) are still scarce. To address this gap, a long-term field experiment with a randomized block design was established in a semiarid agricultural soil in Central Spain in 2012. The treatments used for this study included unamended control, amendment with biochar (B) at a rate of 20 t ha^-1 year^-1, mineral fertilizer (MF), municipal compost (MC) and sewage sludge (SS) at rates to meet N crop demands and the co-amended B+MF, B+MC and B+SS applied at the same application rates used for the individual treatments. Soil samples were taken post-harvest of 2023, eight months after the latest soil amendments. A series of soil incubations were set to a range of 5-35 °C for CO₂ measurements, which were addressed using the fully automated system Respicond respirometer X. Overall, Q₁₀values were not affected by the co-application of biochar and fertilizers. Only soils amended with MC showed a significant increase in the Q₁₀ value in comparison to the B, MF and unamended control treatments. Furthermore, MC-amended soils showed higher respiration rates than those amended with SS. This difference could be attributed to the rapid mineralization of labile carbon fractions added with SS in preceding months or to the presence of preserved complex substrates in MC treatments that could decompose over the long-term. It could also be linked to a higher accumulation of SOC over the past 12 years in MC-treated soils compared to those treated with SS, thereby influencing the observed variations in respiration rates. On the other hand, co-application of biochar with fertilizers decreased soil CO₂ fluxes, especially for B+MC and B+SS, in comparison to the treatments applied alone. The study suggests that in semiarid soils the combined application of biochar with other fertilizers may induce beneficial synergistic effects, creating a nutrient-rich soil environment while either limiting soil CO₂ fluxes and mitigating the adverse impact on the temperature sensitivity of carbon mineralization.

Acknowledgments: This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (“BIOGEOCHAR” Project grant ref. TED2021-132342B-I00). M.J.C thanks to the Embassy of France in Spain for supporting her postdoctoral stay in the Biogéosciences Unit and MINECO for her “Juan de la Cierva-Formación” postdoctoral contract.

How to cite: Carpio Espinosa, M. J., Bonnefoy-Claudet, C., Thévenot, M., Mathieu, O., Benavente-Ferraces, I., García-Gil, J. C., Plaza, C., and Panettieri, M.: Effects of biochar and its co-application with inorganic and organic fertilizers on soil microbial respiration and temperature sensitivity of carbon mineralization., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-2795, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-2795, 2024.

X3.95

EGU24-19272

ECS

Validation of a sediment connectivity binary model improved with a probabilistic approach in the effect of prairie strips.

Jose Antonio Muñoz, Brian K. Gelder, Gema Guzmán, and Jose Alfonso Gómez

Prairie strips (PS) have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in sediment control and partially interrupting sediment connectivity (SC). Research projects such as STRIPS have devoted two decades to investigate this strategy and to promote associated and additional ecosystem services at agricultural landscapes.
The experimental area was within the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge (Iowa, USA). Since 2007, an assessment involving 12 watersheds (3 controls, 9 treatments) was conducted to evaluate the advantages of incorporating PS into rowcrop (Corn-Soybean rotation). Treatments consisted in altering the PS number and area. Helmers et al. (2012) exhibited sediment trapping efficiencies (STE) averaging above 90%.
To the extent of our knowledge, current models attempting to calculate STE are complex. Mahoney et al. (2018) parameterized the probability of SC with a binary model, combining various individual probabilities. One of these probabilities is buffer disconnectivity, where buffers interrupt runoff and disconnect the entire upstream area. If we consider a PS as a buffer, sediment will not pass when the PS is present, and vice versa. Another approach is the one from Muñoz et al. (2023), who analysed STE in vegetation strips using a probabilistic approach, finding a wide range of variation in STE, from -109 to 100%.
This communication presents the integration of this approach to the previous model from Mahoney et al. (2018), going from a binary model in the buffer disconnectivity probability to a model with a range of values between -∞ and 1. Assuming a direct correlation between sediment load and connected pixels, we ran the model across the experimental watersheds during a period of 7 years to validate the result of SC in the model. The results of the model by events and in each watershed were poor due to the variability between precipitation and sediment load. However, considering a weighted arithmetic mean with the rainfall for sediment load and connected pixels, good positive relationships emerged between average sediment load and average connected pixels when the model was applied individually to each watershed for the whole period. As a final part, we extended the model to the set of watersheds, where the correlation was absent.
Nevertheless, the combination of both approaches allows one to factor the probability of STE for specific management practices without significant added complexity, resulting in a strong fit for small watersheds with management with PS.

Acknowledgement: Work was funded by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019-105793RB-I00), project SCALE (EUHorizon2020 GA 862695), and a predoctoral fellowship (PRE2020-093846). We also acknowledge and appreciate the numerous funders and researchers of previous STRIPS Project investigations.

References
Helmers et al. (2012). Sediment removal by prairie filter strips in row‐cropped ephemeral watersheds. Journal of Environmental Quality, 41(5), 1531-1539.
Mahoney et al. (2018). Watershed erosion modeling using the probability of sediment connectivity in a gently rolling system. Journal of Hydrology, 561, 862–883.
Muñoz et al. (2023). Appraising trapping efficiency of vegetative barriers in agricultural landscapes. Strategy based on a probabilistic approach based on a review of available information. International Soil and Water Conservation Research.

How to cite: Muñoz, J. A., Gelder, B. K., Guzmán, G., and Gómez, J. A.: Validation of a sediment connectivity binary model improved with a probabilistic approach in the effect of prairie strips., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-19272, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-19272, 2024.

Discussion Post a comment

X3.96

EGU24-4934

Responses of leaf functional traits to soil environment at different sand fixation stages in the Mu Us desertland

Yun Tian, Yuanmeng Dai, Mingze Xu, Yuhan Zhou, Xiaoqian Ju, Tianshan Zha, Xin Jia, and Peng Liu

Leaf functional traits (LFTs) can directly or indirectly reflect the adaptation strategy of plants to the environment, influencing their survival, growth, and reproduction. However, there is still uncertainty as to the relationship between LFTs and environmental gradients, especially in resource-limited regions. In this study, we selected Artemisia ordosica communities as the research objects at four different dune fixation stages, including semi-fixed (D1), fixed (D2), soil-crust fixed (D3) and herbaceous-plant-covered fixed sand dunes (D4) in Mu Us Desert. Based on field investigation and laboratory analysis, we examined the characteristics of 13 LFTs and the relationship between of LFTs trade-offs and soil physicochemical environment under different dune fixation stages. It was found that (1) in community level, leaf area (LA) and specific leaf area (SLA) were the largest at D1, while leaf tissue density (LTD) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) shown gradually increasing trend with dune fixation. The results indicated that plants will adapt to progressively increasing competition by reducing their photosynthetic capacity and enhancing their physical defense structures. (2) with ongoing dune fixation, the soil organic carbon content (SOC) and soil total nitrogen content (STN) were significantly higher in D2-D4 than that in D1, and soil water content (SWC) was the highest in D2, then decreased significantly in D3-D4 with increasing community species. (3) according to the results of redundancy analysis (RDA), the two main axes represented the soil physical condition (54.11%) and chemical condition (30.06%), respectively. And the SWC and SOC were the main factors affecting changes in LFTs during the dune fixation. Our results provide theoretical basis for understanding the resource use strategy and adaptation mechanism of desert plants under stress environments.

How to cite: Tian, Y., Dai, Y., Xu, M., Zhou, Y., Ju, X., Zha, T., Jia, X., and Liu, P.: Responses of leaf functional traits to soil environment at different sand fixation stages in the Mu Us desertland, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-4934, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-4934, 2024.

X3.97

EGU24-5554

ECS

Unraveling the resilience of micro-dams on Austrian potato fields during intense rainfall

Matthias Konzett, Peter Strauss, and Elmar Schmaltz

Potatoes are especially susceptible to erosion when grown on long and sloped fields due to late seed development and the unique structure of their seedbed. Previous research has shown that micro-dams can effectively reduce surface runoff and sediment yield while also increasing soil water content. One way to further improve micro-dams is to cover them with a greening crop, such as oat or wheat. During intense precipitation events, micro-dams may break and lose their protective effects, whereas micro-dams with cover crops are more sustainable and stay intact. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the resilience of both micro-dams and micro-dams with cover crops on selected fields and all Austrian potato fields in 2022 to intense rainfall events.

Between 2019 and 2022, seven potato fields with both micro-dams and covered micro-dams were surveyed using UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to collect elevation data. This data was used to create digital elevation models (DEM), which were then utilized to evaluate the state of each micro-dam on the field, i.e., whether it was intact, damaged, broken, or undefinable, as well as to calculate topographic parameters, such as slope and LS-Factor, for each micro-dam's position. After a specific precipitation event, the state of each micro-dam was compared with its respective slope and LS-Factor. The obtained data was subsequently applied to all Austrian potato fields of 2022 to assess the potential of micro-dams and micro-dams with cover crops to withstand intense precipitation events and their potential effectiveness.

The first results indicate that there is a distinct difference in slope and LS-Factor between stable and broken micro-dams, regardless of whether they are covered with a greening crop or not. The median slope of all broken micro-dams, whether covered or uncovered, is 8.4%, while stable micro-dams are situated at a median slope of 6%. A similar ratio can be observed in the LS-Factor, with a median of 1.75 for broken micro-dams and 1.15 for stable micro-dams. There are differences between uncovered and covered micro-dams regarding their slope or LS-Factor in all possible states for micro-dams, yet these differences are small and not significant. The application of the data to all potato fields in Austria in 2022 is still ongoing.

How to cite: Konzett, M., Strauss, P., and Schmaltz, E.: Unraveling the resilience of micro-dams on Austrian potato fields during intense rainfall , EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-5554, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-5554, 2024.

X3.98

EGU24-17404

ECS

From plot to catchment scale: evaluating historical and adapted land management practices in an agricultural watershed in Tajikistan

Oliver Konold, Cosima Benedek, Peter Visintin, Maximilian Thier, Victoria Stoisser, Christine Stumpp, Bano Mehdi-Schulz, Faridun Khudonazarov, Shinan Kassam, Sharif Aminov, Davlatshoh Khojaev, Sharif Khojaev, Mira Haddad, Akmal Akramkhanov, and Stefan Strohmeier

Societal and agronomic changes during Tajikistan’s post-soviet era have altered the rural farmland management and the related catchment hydrology. The increasing demand for food production and the limited crop diversity eventually affected soil health and surface hydrological processes. Late planting of summer crops, the removal of plant residues and intense soil disturbance through ploughing are accompanied with limited rainfall interception, which fosters runoff and eventually erosion with potentially disastrous consequences in the downstream areas. As part of Caritas Switzerland's Weather, Water, Climate Services (WWCS) initiative, jointly funded with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, this study assesses the adoption of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices at the field level to reduce surface runoff and erosion, while diversifying and enhancing crop production. This study focuses on a 6356 km² large watershed in the Khatlon region of Tajikistan and couples field experimental runoff plot monitoring with process-based hillslope scale modeling (Water Erosion Prediction Project; WEPP), eventually connected with watershed level hydrological assessment (Soil and Water Assessment Tool; SWAT). Field experimental procedures are being conducted through national, international and local citizen scientists. The study is in its initial phase – however, one season of plot monitoring has been conducted that allows a preliminary assessment of the surface runoff and erosion response of bare, summer wheat, chickpea, alfalfa and esparcet plots. The experiment enables the assessment of the single crops’ performances, as well as integrating crops into rotations through modeling. At the same time, land use and land cover (LULC) ground truthing within the Khatlon watershed was undertaken to validate two freely available global data products provided by the European Space Agency ESA; the CCI LC 300m and the ESA WorldCover 10m datasets. From the ESA CCI LC product, a comprehensive time series from 1992 to 2020 was developed to analyse the changes in LULC within the research area. The validation process enhances the reliability of the LULC data, which is also important for modelling purposes, in the Khatlon region. In a next step, involving multiple stakeholders, land suitability assessment and mapping will yield plausible watershed management scenarios to evaluate the potential of diversification and the introduction of multi-seasonal crops (i.e. alfalfa and esparcet) to reduce surface runoff and sediment yields from the farmlands and to strengthen the local agro-ecosystems and their sustainable production.

How to cite: Konold, O., Benedek, C., Visintin, P., Thier, M., Stoisser, V., Stumpp, C., Mehdi-Schulz, B., Khudonazarov, F., Kassam, S., Aminov, S., Khojaev, D., Khojaev, S., Haddad, M., Akramkhanov, A., and Strohmeier, S.: From plot to catchment scale: evaluating historical and adapted land management practices in an agricultural watershed in Tajikistan, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-17404, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-17404, 2024.

Posters virtual: Tue, 16 Apr, 14:00–15:45 | vHall X3

Display time: Tue, 16 Apr 08:30–Tue, 16 Apr 18:00

Chairpersons: Iria Benavente-Ferraces, Gema Guzmán, Gunther Liebhard

vX3.20

EGU24-2434

ECS

Effects of Different Micro-Irrigation Methods on Water Use and the Economic Benefits of an Apple–Soybean Intercropping System

Houshuai Dai, Ruoshui Wang, Li Chen, Lisha Wang, Xin Wang, Chang Xiong, and Meng Zhang

Intercropping systems reduce ineffective evaporation between trees but also intensify interspecific competition and reduce productivity. To improve the water-use efficiency and the economic benefits of an intercropping system on the Loess Plateau, China, where rainfall is limited and evaporation intense, an apple–soybean intercropping system with micro-irrigation water control was adopted to analyze the soil water, root density, water-use efficiency, yield, and economic benefits of intercropping under different micro-irrigation methods. Subsurface seepage irrigation, bubbler irrigation, and drip irrigation under mulching were used with irrigation upper limit levels of three maximum irrigation levels [60% (W1), 75% (W2), and 90% (W3) of field capacity (FC)]. Rainwater harvesting from ridges and furrows (GL) without irrigation was the control. Bubbler irrigation increased the soil water content, optimized the vertical soil water distribution, and promoted root growth. Except for the control treatment (GL), the other micro-irrigation treatments increased with the irrigation amount, but the water-use efficiency decreased. Drip irrigation under mulch combined with W2 (75%Fc) irrigation could obtain the maximum intercropping yield, which was increased by 71.1% compared with the GL treatment. Drip irrigation under a mulch combined with W2 produced the maximum intercropping yield; the economic benefits were higher under drip irrigation with mulching combined with W1; and all three micro-irrigation methods combined with W2 improved the economic benefits by 52.1–115.5% compared to GL. Drip irrigation under mulching or bubbler irrigation combined with W2 should be used when there are sufficient water resources, but drip irrigation under a mulch combined with W1 when there is a water shortage.

How to cite: Dai, H., Wang, R., Chen, L., Wang, L., Wang, X., Xiong, C., and Zhang, M.: Effects of Different Micro-Irrigation Methods on Water Use and the Economic Benefits of an Apple–Soybean Intercropping System, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-2434, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-2434, 2024.

vX3.21

EGU24-3762

Thirty-year dryland crop rotation improves soil multifunctionality and shifts soil fungal community

(withdrawn)

Ying Wang

vX3.22

EGU24-8732

ECS

Preliminary exploration of understory leaf area index inversion based on multi-angle remote sensing.

Haojia Wang, Xiaoping Zhang, Liang He, Wenliang Geng, and Weinan Sun

Soil erosion is one of the most widespread and serious environmental problems globally. Accurately obtaining understory vegetation parameters is a challenge for regional soil erosion assessment. This article introduces a method for obtaining understory vegetation Leaf Area Index (LAI) using multi-angle remote sensing techniques. Based on the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Bidirectional Reflectivity Distribution Function (BRDF) data product (MCD43A1), the 4-scale geometric optical model was used to separate forest canopy and background reflectance. Combined with the measured understory LAI, a model for the inversion of understory LAI in the study area was developed. The results demonstrated that the background reflectance showed a similar seasonal variation trend as the reflectance of adjacent grassland, and significant difference was found between the background reflectance and the corresponding pixel total reflectance. Total reflectance was fitted separately with the measured canopy LAI and understory LAI. The coefficient of determination, R-square value between total reflectance and measured canopy LAI was 0.419, while the R-square value between total reflectance and measured understory LAI was only 0.053, it was indicated that the total reflectance mainly represents the information of the canopy. Established simple inverse models for the leaf area index of understory vegetation. the correlation between understory vegetation LAI and Ratio Vegetation Index (RVI) calculated based on background reflectance was the best, with the R-square value of 0.4733, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.55, and Mean Relative Error(MRE) of 14.62%. This research can provide a method for evaluating understory vegetation in the quantitative estimate of regional soil erosion.

KeyWords：Leaf area index; Multi-angle remote sensing; Background reflectance; Understory vegetation.

How to cite: Wang, H., Zhang, X., He, L., Geng, W., and Sun, W.: Preliminary exploration of understory leaf area index inversion based on multi-angle remote sensing., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-8732, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-8732, 2024.

vX3.23

EGU24-13815

How does vegetation restoration affect the soil quality on the Loess Plateau? A meta-analysis

Wenliang Geng, Shunxia Duan, Yangyang Li, Xiaoping Zhang, and Csilla Hudek

Abstract: Soil degradation is one of the biggest environmental problems facing the earth today, with which more than 33% of the earth’s soil currently degraded. Soil erosion is considered to be one of the dominant and prevalent form of soil degradation in the developing countries. The Loess Plateau is the areas with the most serious soil erosion in China and even in the world. A number of literatures showed that vegetation restoration was one of the most effective measures in controlling soil erosion and preventing soil degradation. But the effects of vegetation restoration across climate, vegetation types and restoration years are not clear. A meta-analysis was conducted and achieved 1731 paired observations from 71 peer-reviewed papers to improve the understanding of the effects of vegetation restoration on soil quality and to identify the factors influencing its changes.

The results showed that: (1) The literatures are distributed in various provinces of the Loess Plateau, with the most concentrated distribution in northern Shaanxi Province. In terms of specific data, the relevant data covered several aspects of soil quality indicators, such as Bulk density (n=180), Soil total porosity (n=91), Soil aggregate stability (n=65), Soil organic matter (n=180), Total nitrogen (n=166), Total phosphorus (n=112), Available nitrogen (n=47), Available phosphorus (n=63), Microbial biomass carbon (n=46), Microbial biomass nitrogen (n=29), Microbial biomass phosphorus (n=20), and others.

(2) Compared with the farmland, after vegetation restoration on the Loess Plateau, soil bulk density was significantly reduced by 6-10 %, soil total porosity was significantly increased by 12-16 %, soil aggregate stability was significantly increased by 18-24 %, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity was significantly increased by 12-18 %, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen content was significantly increased by 47-55 % and 43-52 %, microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and enzyme activity were also significantly increased.

(3) The effect of vegetation restoration on soil quality mainly depends on soil texture, vegetation type and restoration year. Generally, the effect of forest on soil quality is higher than that of shrub and grass. The effect of vegetation restoration on soil quality increases with the increase of vegetation restoration years.

The results of the study provide a basis for the evaluation of the ecological effects of vegetation restoration in the Loess Plateau, and can provide a reference for the selection of reasonable vegetation allocation methods under different restoration conditions, thereby improving soil degradation in arid and semi-arid areas.

Keywords: Vegetation restoration; Soil quality; Meta analysis; Loess Plateau

How to cite: Geng, W., Duan, S., Li, Y., Zhang, X., and Hudek, C.: How does vegetation restoration affect the soil quality on the Loess Plateau? A meta-analysis, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-13815, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-13815, 2024.

Discussion Post a comment

vX3.24

EGU24-9522

ECS

Estimation and evaluation of carbon sink of terraces measures in Loess Plateau : A Case Study of Wuqi County

Kaiyang Yu, Xiaoping Zhang, Hui Cheng, Weinan Sun, Wenliang Geng, Haojia Wang, Xuanhao Liu, Liang He, Yujie Zhang, Zefeng An, and Yichen Wang

Estimation and evaluation of carbon sink of terraces measures in Loess Plateau : A Case Study of Wuqi County

Kaiyang Yu¹, Xiaoping Zhang¹, Hui Cheng², Weinan Sun¹, Wenliang Geng¹, Haojia Wang¹, Xuanhao Liu¹, Liang He¹, Yujie Zhang¹, Zefeng An¹, Yichen Wang¹

¹Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China

²Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China

Abstract: Extensive terracing to cultivate land or plant trees and grasses, will affect biogeochemical processes in terrestrial ecosystem especially in areas with severe erosion. In order to clarify the carbon sequestration function and capacity of terrace in Loess Plateau, terraced fields with different planting types and years were selected to compare with corresponding slope land within Wuqi County (3,791 km²) of Loess Plateau to investigate the distribution characteristics of SOC on soil profile in 100 cm and searching for the influencing factors in the area. The results showed that：(1) Level terrace has significant carbon sink function in Loess Plateau. After the construction of terraced fields, SOC of six soil layers has the same variation trend with the construction years. The total SOC in the profile undergoes a rapid accumulation in the early 5-10 years of terracing construction, then exceeded the control group, and reaching a stable level after 20 years. (2) SOC in terrace dramatically decreases from surface layer to bottom layer, which exhibits surface aggregation effects. The content of SOC in 0-10 cm is significantly higher than that in deep soil layers, and the difference in SOC in deep soil is not significant. (3) The contents and accumulation rate of SOC in terrace are different with the planting types and years. Terraces with forest land generally has higher accumulating rate than other planting types. (4) There is significant correlation between total SOC and organic carbon content of large soil aggregates. Soil aggregates with particle size greater than 0.25mm determined the amount and trend of SOC content in the soil. These results can provide an essential basis for improving the soil fertility and evaluating the benefit of terrace in carbon conservation on the Loess Plateau.

Key words: Terrace; Soil organic carbon; Soil aggregate; Loess Plateau

How to cite: Yu, K., Zhang, X., Cheng, H., Sun, W., Geng, W., Wang, H., Liu, X., He, L., Zhang, Y., An, Z., and Wang, Y.: Estimation and evaluation of carbon sink of terraces measures in Loess Plateau : A Case Study of Wuqi County, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-9522, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-9522, 2024.

vX3.25

EGU24-7421

Ecological environment quality evaluation of the gully area in the Loess Plateau based on remote sensing ecological index

Yujie Zhang, Xiaoping Zhang, Jie He, Liang He, Weinan Sun, Wenliang Geng, Haojia Wang, Yichen Wang, Zefeng An, Kaiyang Yu, and Xuanhao Liu

Abstract: As the fundamental foundation for human survival and development, the ecological environment is an important guarantee for social progress. With the accelerated development of society, the impact of human activities on the ecological environment has become increasingly significant. Fu County (4,182 km²) is located in the gully area of the Loess Plateau, an important ecological security barrier in the north of China. Clarifying the current situation of the ecological environment and the temporal and spatial changes of ecological environment quality in Fu County is conducive to the construction of ecological civilization. It provides scientific support to improve ecological quality.

Based on the remote sensing images of Landsat in Fu County from 1992 to 2019, we considered four indexes of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Tasseled Cap Transformation Humidity Index (Wet), Normalized Difference Bare Soil Index (NDBSI), and Land Surface Temperature (LST) to represent greenness, humidity, dryness and heat of the environment. The principal component analysis was uesd to establish a remote sensing ecological index model (RSEI). And then we evaluated the ecological quality in the area in the past 30 years.The results showed that: (1) The average correlation between RSEI and four indexes was 0.874, which means RSEI can comprehensively reflect the ecological environment quality status of the study area compared with a single index. (2) The regional mean values of RSEI in Fu County showed an upward trend from 0.621 to 0.806 between 1992 and 2019, and the increase in ecological environment quality gradually increased from northwest to southeast of the county. (3) The increasing area and magnitude of the ecological level of the county from 1992 to 2019 were much greater than the decling area and magnitude. Over the past 30 years, the relatively sparsely populated townships of Zhiluo, Niwu and Zhangjiawan, which have a high degree of vegetation cover, have always been in a better state, while the densely populated townships of Jizixian, Jiaodao and Yangquan has always been poor. From the perspective of the degree of change in the quality level of the ecological environment, all townships have been improved to different degrees, and the improvement is the most obvious in Jizixian Town, Jiaodao Town and Yangquan Town.

The improvement of ecological environment quality level from good to excellent is probably because that the implementation of many ecological projects and the increase in rainfall, and the decrease in bare soil area and surface heat decreased in Fu County in the past 30 years.This study can provide method reference and data support for ecological environment monitoring, governance and protection.

Keywords: Fu County; Ecological environment quality evaluation; RSEI; Dynamic monitoring

How to cite: Zhang, Y., Zhang, X., He, J., He, L., Sun, W., Geng, W., Wang, H., Wang, Y., An, Z., Yu, K., and Liu, X.: Ecological environment quality evaluation of the gully area in the Loess Plateau based on remote sensing ecological index, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-7421, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-7421, 2024.

vX3.26

EGU24-2503

ECS

Soil Moisture, Nutrients, Root Distribution, and Crop Combination Benefits at Different Water and Fertilizer Levels during the Crop Replacement Period in an Apple Intercropping System

Chang Xiong, Ruoshui Wang, Xin Wang, Lisha Wang, Li Chen, Houshuai Dai, and Meng Zhang

Uneven soil moisture and nutrient distribution before and after intercropping limits apple cropping system productivity in the western Shanxi loess area. To address the problem, a field experiment was conducted between 2020 and 2021 to investigate the effects of different water and fertilizer management practices on soil moisture, nutrients, root distribution, and overall benefits of the intercropping system during the crop replacement period. The experimental set up included three factors: irrigation method, irrigation level, and fertilizer application; irrigation methods included drip (D) and flood (M) irrigation; irrigation levels included rain-fed without irrigation (W0), 50% of the field water holding capacity (Fc)-W1, and 80% of the field water holding capacity (Fc)-W2; fertilizer treatments included F0 (no additional fertilizer application), F1 (N 206.2 kg∙hm^-2 + P₂O₅ 84.4 kg∙hm^-2 + K₂O 84.4 kg∙hm^-2), F2 (N 412.4 kg∙hm^-2 + P₂O₅ 168.8 kg∙hm^-2 + K₂O 168.8 kg∙hm^-2), and control (CK) without irrigation and fertilization, for a total of 15 treatments. According to the results, soil water content (SWC) decreased after the crop replacement. Besides, nitrate nitrogen (NN), ammonium nitrogen (AN), and organic matter (OM) contents in all treatments increased, whereas total phosphorus (TP) content decreased. The main soil aggregate layer with crop roots shifted downwards (from the 0–40 cm soil layer before crop replacement to the 0–60 cm soil layer) after crop replacement, and partial fertilizer productivity (PFP), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and water use efficiency (WUE) under both irrigation treatments were decreased. Principal component analysis showed that the W2F2 treatment had the highest combined benefits both irrigation treatments during the crop replacement period. Structural equation modeling showed that apple tree and maize RLDs had no significant effects on water use (ET) and WUE before crop replacement. Apple tree and soybean RLDs had significant positive correlations with ET and significant negative correlations with WUE after crop replacement. According to our results, to optimize the benefits of apple-crop intercropping, drip irrigation with complete water supply and flood irrigation with incomplete water supply are recommended during crop replacement. In addition, an upper irrigation limit of 80% of the field water holding capacity and a fertilizer application rate of N 412.4 kg∙hm^-2 + P₂O₅ 168.8 kg∙hm^-2 + K₂O 168.8 kg∙hm^-2 are recommended for optimal water and fertilizer regulation.

How to cite: Xiong, C., Wang, R., Wang, X., Wang, L., Chen, L., Dai, H., and Zhang, M.: Soil Moisture, Nutrients, Root Distribution, and Crop Combination Benefits at Different Water and Fertilizer Levels during the Crop Replacement Period in an Apple Intercropping System, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-2503, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-2503, 2024.

vX3.27

EGU24-3768

Integrating mulching and supplementary irrigation for soil environment improvements in apple orchards of northwest China

Yuxin Yang

Abstract: Mulching and supplementary irrigation are commonly used water-saving techniques ensuring agricultural sustainability in drylands of northwest China. However, the effects of the combination of mulching and supplementary irrigation on the soil environment, and the growth of apple trees remain unclear. Field experiments were conducted in 2023 to evaluate the effects of the combination of mulching and supplementary irrigation on the soil water and heat, and the growth of apple trees. In the experiments, one mulching method (corn straw mulching, SM), two types of drip irrigation, which included above-ground ring drip irrigation (M1) and above-ground two-row drip irrigation (M2), were used. Additionally, three irrigation levels of 100% (W1), 75% (W2), and 50% (W3) of full irrigation (referred to as full, moderate deficit, and severe deficit irrigation, respectively) were used. The results showed that SM significantly increased the soil water content (SWC), especially in the early stage of the growth period. SM significantly reduced and stabilized the soil temperature during the whole growth season, while M1 and M2 had no significant effect on the soil temperature. Both mulching and drip irrigation significantly increased the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of leaves. Supplementary irrigation had no significant effect on shoot length, but increased shoot diameter. The evapotranspiration of various stages on apple trees was in the following descending order: fruit expansion stage (III), bud development and flowering stage (I), leaf expansion stage (II), and fruit maturing stage (IV). Therefore, SM has the potential to increase apple yields in the Loess Plateau by improving the soil environment and regulating the growth and physiology of apple trees.

How to cite: Yang, Y.: Integrating mulching and supplementary irrigation for soil environment improvements in apple orchards of northwest China, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-3768, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-3768, 2024.

vX3.28

EGU24-3716

ECS

Vegetation phenology and its response to climate change in the Yellow RiverBasin from 2001 to 2020

wang yichen, he jie, he liang, zhang yujie, and zhang xiaoping

Vegetation phenology is widely recognized as a comprehensive indicator of global climate change. Studying the spatiotemporal characteristics and trends of regional vegetation phenology can improve our understanding of the stability and dynamic changes of the ecosystem. Based on the 16day, 250m resolution MODIS NDVI data from 2001 to 2020, this study used the S-G filtering method and the relative threshold method to extract vegetation phenology parameters in the Yellow River Basin. Combined with the ERA5-LAND hourly climate reanalysis dataset and CHIRPS daily precipitation dataset provided by GEE platform, using trend analysis and partial correlation analysis methods, we explored the spatial distribution characteristics and change trends of vegetation phenology in different vegetation zones under global climate change.We also analyzed its response to climate factors.The results show that: (1) the climate in the Yellow River Basin presented a warm and humid development trend from 2001 to 2020, with an annually average temperature increase of 0.15℃/10a (P>0.05) and an annual precipitation increase of 24mm/10a (P<0.05). (2) The warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest region in the Yellow River Basin had the earliest start of the growing season and middle time of the season, while the typical grassland subzone in the southern temperate zone and the desert grassland subzone in the southern temperate zone had the latest start of the growing season and middle time of the season. The end of the growing season in the temperate shrub-grass semi-desert zone was the latest, and the length of growing season in the alpine vegetation region on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was the shortest. (3) Within the whole basin, 69.3% and 66.4% of the area showed an advance trend (P<0.05) for start of the growing season and middle time of the season, respectively, 50.9% of the area showed a delay trend (P<0.05) for end of the growing season, and 66.1% of the area showed an extension trend (P<0.05) for length of growing season. (4) There were differences in climate impacts on phenology parameters among different vegetation zones. Temperature had a greater impact on phenology parameters in typical grassland subzone in northern temperate zone, alpine grassland zone, and alpine meadow zone, while precipitation and solar radiation factors had a greater impact on phenology parameters in typical grassland subzone in southern temperate zone, temperate shrub-grass semi-desert zone, desert grassland subzone in southern temperate zone and mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest zone.

How to cite: yichen, W., jie, H., liang, H., yujie, Z., and xiaoping, Z.: Vegetation phenology and its response to climate change in the Yellow RiverBasin from 2001 to 2020, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-3716, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-3716, 2024.

vX3.29

EGU24-13812

Study on Soil Physical Properties of Terraced Slope Farmland in Black Soil Region of Northeast China.

Siyu Wei and Yu Fu

To explore the soil water holding capacity and soil structure on sloping farmland with terrace measures in Black Soil Region of Northeast China. The construction of terraces slope farmland in different soil types (Black soil, Dark brown soil and Brown soil) is taken as the research object, the slope farmland (non- terraced slopes) was used as a blank control (CK). In the study, the spatial uniform distribution method was used to quantify the soil water holding capacity, soil structure characteristics and spatial distribution characteristics of construction of terraced slope farmland. The results showed that (i) the physical properties of soil after terrace construction in Black Soil Region were better than that of CK, and the improvement degree was Brown soil > Black soil > Dark brown soil. (ii) Compared with the CK, the soil physical properties of Brown soil in terrace slope farmland were improved obviously. The soil saturated water holding capacity of terrace slope farmland increased by 10.24 %. Besides, the soil capillary water holding capacity of terrace slope farmland increased by 16.77 %, and the soil field water holding capacity of terrace slope farmland increased by 16.10 %. Compared with the CK, the soil structure characteristics of Brown soil in terrace slope farmland were also more stable, and he total soil porosity and capillary porosity of terraced slope farmland increased by 9.14 % and 15.56 %. (iii) Terraced slope farmland of Brown soil mainly affect soil moisture characteristics and soil porpsity, in which soil capillary water holding capacity with 12.11 % of contribution rate, and the contribution of terraces to total soil porosity was 11.21 %. The main influencing factors of terraces in Dark brown soil were soil structure characteristics, in which the contribution of soil total porosity was 13.84 %, and the contribution of water-stable aggregate content was 13.31 %, which were greater than that of CK ; The contribution rate of each index of terrace of Black soil is relatively uniform, at 10.24 % -12.5 %. In summary, the terraces of Brown soil affect the characteristics of soil moisture and soil structure. The terraces of Dark brown soil mainly affects the characteristics of soil structure. Terraces of Black soil mainly affect soil moisture characteristics.

Keywords : black soil region; terraces; soil water holding capacity ; characteristics of soil structure ;

How to cite: Wei, S. and Fu, Y.: Study on Soil Physical Properties of Terraced Slope Farmland in Black Soil Region of Northeast China., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-13812, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-13812, 2024.

vX3.30

EGU24-14064

ECS

How Does the Government Regulation Affect Farmers’ Soil Remediation Behavior?—Based on a Mediation Effect Analysis of Farmers’ Cognition

Sixiao Li and Jundi Liu

The total area of soil degradation in China is about 460 million hectares, and the problem of soil degradation needs to be solved urgently. Can government regulation, as an important means to encourage farmers to use soil remediation technology, and guide farmers to improve their awareness and thus promoting their adoption? Based on the survey data of 403 rural households in Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces of China, the orderly probit model was used to empirically analyze the direct effects of government regulations on various soil remediation behaviors of rural households. Factor analysis was used to measure the cognition level of policy effectiveness, ecological benefit, social value and subject responsibility, and their effect on the government regulation is analyzed through the intermediary effect model. It was found that farmers in loess area had good soil remediation behavior and adopted 3 remediation techniques on average. The influence of different government regulations on farmers' soil remediation behavior is heterogeneous. Government subsidies and technical training significantly promoted farmers to implement soil remediation behavior, while publicity and education had no significance and negative impact. Further mechanism test showed that policy cognition and subject responsibility cognition played a positive moderating role, while social value cognition and ecological benefit cognition played a negative masking effect. The influence of propaganda and training on farmers' soil remediation behavior was 42.69% and 32.73% through social value cognition by masking effect. Therefore, it was necessary to put more allowances, carry out in-depth and meticulous publicity and education, broaden technical guidance channels, and adhere to the combination of rewards and punishments, to promote farmers' scientific soil testing and precision fertilization, and improve the agricultural green development mechanism.

How to cite: Li, S. and Liu, J.: How Does the Government Regulation Affect Farmers’ Soil Remediation Behavior?—Based on a Mediation Effect Analysis of Farmers’ Cognition, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-14064, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-14064, 2024.